Traveling can be rough on the body. Whether you are traveling alone on business or on your way to a sunny resort with your family, long hours in a car or an airplane can leave you stressed, tired, stiff and sore.
"Prolonged sitting can wreak havoc on your body," says Dr. McNulty. “While seated, there is twice the pressure on your spine than when standing and moving around.”
Dr. McNulty and the ACA suggest the following tips and advice to fight the pains and strains of travel before they occur.
Warm Up, Cool Down
Treat travel as an athletic event. Warm up before settling into a car or plane, and cool down once you reach your destination. Take a brisk walk to stretch your hamstring and calf muscles.
In the Car:
• Adjust the seat so you are as close to the steering wheel and as comfortably as possible. Your knees should be slightly higher than your hips. Place four fingers behind the back of your thigh closest to your knee. If you cannot easily slide your fingers in and out of that space, you need to re-adjust your seat.
• Consider a back support. Using a support behind your back may reduce the risk of low-back strain, pain or injury. The widest part of the support should be between the bottom of your rib cage and your waistline.
• Exercise your legs while driving to reduce the risk of any swelling, fatigue or discomfort. Open your toes as wide as you can, and count to 10. Count to five while you tighten your calf muscles, then your thigh muscles, then your gluteal muscles. Roll your shoulders forward and back, making sure to keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road.
• To minimize arm and hand tension while driving, hold the steering wheel at approximately 3 o'clock and 7 o'clock, periodically switching to 10 o'clock and 5 o'clock.
• Do not grip the steering wheel. Instead, tighten and loosen your grip to improve hand circulation and decrease muscle fatigue in the arms, wrists and hands.
• While always being careful to keep your eyes on the road, vary your focal point while driving to reduce the risk of eye fatigue and tension headaches.
• Take rest breaks. Never underestimate the potential consequences of fatigue to yourself, your passengers and other drivers.
In an Airplane:
• Stand up straight and feel the normal "S" curve of your spine. Then use rolled-up pillows or blankets to maintain that curve when you sit in your seat. Tuck a pillow behind your back and just above the beltline and lay another pillow across the gap between your neck and the headrest. If the seat is hollowed from wear, use folded blankets to raise your buttocks a little.
• Check all bags heavier than 5-10 percent of your body weight. Overhead lifting of any significant amount of weight should be avoided to reduce the risk of pain in the lower back or neck. While lifting your bags, stand right in front of the overhead compartment so the spine is not rotated. Do not lift your bags over your head, or turn or twist your head and neck in the process.
• When stowing belongings under the seat, do not force the object with an awkward motion using your legs, feet or arms. This may cause muscle strain or spasms in the upper thighs and lower back muscles. Instead, sit in your seat first, and using your hands and feet, gently guide your bags under the seat directly in front of you.
• While seated, vary your position occasionally to improve circulation and avoid leg cramps. Massage legs and calves. Bring your legs in, and move your knees up and down. Prop your legs up on a book or a bag under your seat.
• Do not sit directly under the air controls. The draft can increase tension in your neck and shoulder muscles.
Safe Travel For Children:
• Always use a car seat in a car when traveling with children below the age of 4 and weighing less than 40 pounds.
• Ask the airline for their policy on child car seat safety. Car seats for infants and toddlers provide added resistance to turbulent skies, and are safer than the lap of a parent in the event of an unfortunate accident.
• Make sure the car seat is appropriate for the age and size of the child. A newborn infant requires a different seat than a 3-year-old toddler.
• Car seats for infants should always face the rear. In this position, the forces and impact of a crash will be spread more evenly along the back and shoulders, providing more protection for the neck.
• Car seats should always be placed in the back seat of the car-ideally in the center. This is especially important in cars equipped with air bags. If an air bag becomes deployed, the force could seriously injure or kill a child or infant placed in the front seat.
• Make sure the car seat is properly secured to the seat of the vehicle and is placed at a 45-degree angle to support the head of the infant or child.
Dr. McNulty Can Help...
The best advice I can give is to recommend a few adjustments before going on the trip. It’s a lot like warming up for a race. You never want to just start running. You must warm up and stretch first. An adjustment before traveling is the same as warming up for a race. It’s definitely worth the 5 minutes it takes to stop into the office to get treated so that you will not be in pain and suffer while on your vacation or business trip. Let Dr. McNulty worry about your aches and pains so you can just relax and enjoy yourself.
Remember to try Chiropractic and Acupuncture!
Christopher McNulty, DC
704-788-1895
Friday, October 10, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
How to reduce muscle soreness in the garden
Gardeners, The big season for planting is just ahead. Does the thought of it make your muscles ache?
The American Chiropractic Association recently issued advice intended to reduce sore backs, aching joints and muscle pain among gardeners. A Harris poll taken in 2003 reported that gardening is the leading cause of muscle strain and soreness, after sports. The poll said that 59% of gardeners experienced muscle pain as a result of gardening.
The Association has this advice:
(1)Warm up first with five minutes of low-intensity physical activity such as walking, jogging in place or riding a stationary bike. Follow this with stretching.
(2)Kneel, don't bend. Avoid squatting and bending as much as possible. Instead, kneel on a soft cushion or a stack of towels.
Consider raised beds for your plants, which bring them closer to hand and eliminate the need to bend while tending.
(3)Roll heavy objects, don't carry them. Use a wheelbarrow for hauling heavy objects such as bagged mulch. Always load materials using the power in your legs to lift. Grasp objects while squatting, and then lift them by raising your entire body, keeping your weight balanced on both legs and your head straight.
(4)Use a timer. Become aware of your body's position by setting a kitchen timer. Bring it outside and set it for 15-minute intervals. Once the timer goes off, take a break and do some stretches or another task that uses a different set of muscles. Stretches will help restore blood flow and prevent cramping or muscle spasms.
(5)Buy ergonomic tools. Before purchasing a new tool, imitate the motions you'll use in the garden. Make sure the equipment is not too heavy, too short or too long for you to use comfortably. Look for hand tools with foam-covered handles.
(6)Drink Plenty of water. Sweating depletes you body's water supply and can lead t0 dehydration.
Christopher McNulty, DC
7044-788-1895
The American Chiropractic Association recently issued advice intended to reduce sore backs, aching joints and muscle pain among gardeners. A Harris poll taken in 2003 reported that gardening is the leading cause of muscle strain and soreness, after sports. The poll said that 59% of gardeners experienced muscle pain as a result of gardening.
The Association has this advice:
(1)Warm up first with five minutes of low-intensity physical activity such as walking, jogging in place or riding a stationary bike. Follow this with stretching.
(2)Kneel, don't bend. Avoid squatting and bending as much as possible. Instead, kneel on a soft cushion or a stack of towels.
Consider raised beds for your plants, which bring them closer to hand and eliminate the need to bend while tending.
(3)Roll heavy objects, don't carry them. Use a wheelbarrow for hauling heavy objects such as bagged mulch. Always load materials using the power in your legs to lift. Grasp objects while squatting, and then lift them by raising your entire body, keeping your weight balanced on both legs and your head straight.
(4)Use a timer. Become aware of your body's position by setting a kitchen timer. Bring it outside and set it for 15-minute intervals. Once the timer goes off, take a break and do some stretches or another task that uses a different set of muscles. Stretches will help restore blood flow and prevent cramping or muscle spasms.
(5)Buy ergonomic tools. Before purchasing a new tool, imitate the motions you'll use in the garden. Make sure the equipment is not too heavy, too short or too long for you to use comfortably. Look for hand tools with foam-covered handles.
(6)Drink Plenty of water. Sweating depletes you body's water supply and can lead t0 dehydration.
Christopher McNulty, DC
7044-788-1895
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